The 30th anniversary of the Pappoe Thompson Choral Festival was held yesterday 4th March.
The annual choral concert dubbed the Pappoe Thompson Choral festival which comes off usually just before the annual March 6 Independence anniversary took place at the Centre for National Culture (Arts Centre) with a great sense of patriotism and an air of pomp and pageantry.
Mr. Emmanuel Pappoe Thompson, a teacher whose patriotic songs were, perhaps, second only to those of Ephraim Amu was himself modest and little known to the listening public.
Most of the groups sang songs in commemoration of Ghana@60 in addition to selections from Thompson's vast patriotic and gospel repertoire.
There were four choir groups this year namely Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority choir, The Treasury Staff choir, Freeman Memorial Methodist choir and Fire Vibrations choir.
Most of the songs sang by the choirs came from these two composers of patriotic Ghanaian choral music - Ephraim Amu and Emmanuel Pappoe Thompson. Every choir sang about four songs from their repertory.
Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority choir opened the program with songs such as 'huan na otese Jesus Christ' , the 'Ghapoha anthem- Ghapoha controllers of the seaport' 'Kwe mo me mama' and ended a beautiful performance with 'Me da akpe na mawu'
Costumed in bright orange colours, the choir gave powerful vocal performances to the delight of the audience.
The Treasury Staff Choir from the Controller and Accountant Generals Department was next to perform. Costumed in beautiful Kente and white lace, they danced to the stage with their opening song 'Sing praises'. Vocally strong, the Treasury choir sang beautifully a variety of songs including their anthem 'Controller and Accountant General's Department', 'Ke gyi me to le', 'Gye wo ayeyi' and ended with 'Aseda ye wo dze' and 'Wonko ara'.
Freeman Memorial Methodist choir took over with ' This is the day'. The Late Emmanuel Pappoe was the choir master for this choir for many years until he died. They sang different songs including 'Few noko' 'Aha me gbena', the very popular 'me nye nyanyo ko'
Last on the bill was Fire Vibrations choir from the Ghana Fire Service. They came on stage with their anthem. Among the songs they sang are 'Anyemi' 'Ma som me man Ghana' and 'Oye'
The event was crowned with all the choirs coming together to perform the national anthem and the hallelujah chorus.
Watch highlights of the choral festival:
